Cost of living in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 23% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 39 prices entered by 8 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 16% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 16% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 346 som (346 Ngultrum) | 467 Ngultrum | - 26% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 222 som (222 Ngultrum) | 327 Ngultrum | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 138 som (138 Ngultrum) | 160 Ngultrum | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 55 som (55 Ngultrum) | 72 Ngultrum | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 122 som (122 Ngultrum) | 141 Ngultrum | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 114 som (114 Ngultrum) | 59 Ngultrum | + 93% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 242 som (242 Ngultrum) | 208 Ngultrum | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 80 som (80 Ngultrum) | 138 Ngultrum | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30 som (29 Ngultrum) | 35 Ngultrum | - 15% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 70 som (70 Ngultrum) | 66 Ngultrum | + 7% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 434 som (433 Ngultrum) | 864 Ngultrum | - 50% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 72 som (71 Ngultrum) | 85 Ngultrum | - 16% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 34 som (34 Ngultrum) | 29 Ngultrum | + 17% | |
| Housing | - 12% | |||
| Housing in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 12% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 50,442 som (50,343 Ngultrum) | 37,718 Ngultrum | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 30,403 som (30,343 Ngultrum) | 21,622 Ngultrum | + 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,438 som (2,433 Ngultrum) | 6,463 Ngultrum | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 28,813 som (28,756 Ngultrum) | 32,064 Ngultrum | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 16,149 som (16,117 Ngultrum) | 18,456 Ngultrum | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,832 som (1,829 Ngultrum) | 4,439 Ngultrum | - 59% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 1,070 som (1,068 Ngultrum) | 1,832 Ngultrum | - 42% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 27,739 som (27,684 Ngultrum) | 40,290 Ngultrum | - 31% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 7,934 som (7,918 Ngultrum) | 9,656 Ngultrum | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 500 som (499 Ngultrum) | 336 Ngultrum | + 48% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 344 som (343 Ngultrum) | 324 Ngultrum | + 6% | |
| Clothes | + 45% | |||
| Clothes in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 45% more expensive than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 3,515 som (3,508 Ngultrum) | 2,182 Ngultrum | + 61% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 2,821 som (2,816 Ngultrum) | 2,110 Ngultrum | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 7,021 som (7,007 Ngultrum) | 5,165 Ngultrum | + 36% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 6,803 som (6,789 Ngultrum) | 3,416 Ngultrum | + 99% | |
| Transportation | - 49% | |||
| Transportation in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 49% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 965,267 som (963,368 Ngultrum) | 1,531,360 Ngultrum | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 48 som (48 Ngultrum) | 66 Ngultrum | - 27% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 677 som (676 Ngultrum) | 2,293 Ngultrum | - 71% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 486 som (485 Ngultrum) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | - 10% | |||
| Personal Care in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 10% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 259 som (259 Ngultrum) | 118 Ngultrum | + 119% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 688 som (687 Ngultrum) | 500 Ngultrum | + 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 1,174 som (1,172 Ngultrum) | 3,000 Ngultrum | - 61% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 212 som (212 Ngultrum) | 261 Ngultrum | - 19% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 192 som (191 Ngultrum) | 198 Ngultrum | - 3% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 235 som (234 Ngultrum) | 285 Ngultrum | - 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 80 som (79 Ngultrum) | 102 Ngultrum | - 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 97 som (96 Ngultrum) | 53 Ngultrum | + 81% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 275 som (274 Ngultrum) | 350 Ngultrum | - 22% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) is 21% cheaper than in Thimphu (Bhutan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Bishkek | Thimphu | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 1,343 som (1,341 Ngultrum) | 1,615 Ngultrum | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 565 som (564 Ngultrum) | 480 Ngultrum | + 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 3,068 som (3,062 Ngultrum) | 1,699 Ngultrum | + 80% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 2,324 som (2,320 Ngultrum) | 2,326 Ngultrum | - 0% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 241 som (240 Ngultrum) | 688 Ngultrum | - 65% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 175 som (174 Ngultrum) | 167 Ngultrum | + 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 136 som (135 Ngultrum) | 103 Ngultrum | + 32% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 27,252 som (27,199 Ngultrum) | 57,943 Ngultrum | - 53% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 2.96 som (2.96 Ngultrum) | 2.70 Ngultrum | + 10% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 3,207 som (3,201 Ngultrum) | 2,763 Ngultrum | + 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 90 som (90 Ngultrum) | 331 Ngultrum | - 73% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 23% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 39 prices entered by 8 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 25, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.998
BTN
/
KGS
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 122,000 Ngultrum in Thimphu you would need to make just about 94,534 Ngultrum (94,720 som) in Bishkek.
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